After last year’s thriller, many hoped Saturday’s matchup between Duke and UNC would be competitive game. Apparently no one told the Heels or Blue Devils, because this game was over shortly after it started – officially ending with a 56-24 UNC rout of Duke.
The Heels opened the game with quick 50 yard drive and touchdown that would set the tone for the entire game. They’d go on to score 21 unanswered points in the 1st quarter.
Duke was unable to get anything going offensively- punting early in their 1st two possessions and turning the ball over on their 3rd. The Blue Devils would finally end their scoring drought mid-way through the 2nd quarter with a touchdown and tack on an additional three points right before half time, but they were futile as the Heels were already leading 42-7.
UNC’s offensive assault would slow down in the second half, but Duke never threatened to comeback – ultimately falling 56-24.
UNC Game Notes:
- Today, marked the seventh time Carolina has scored 50 or more points against Duke. The previous six times came in 1959, 1970, 1997, 2000, 2001 and a record 66 points in 2015.
- The 56 points are the second most ever scored by the Tar Heels at Duke. UNC scored 59 points in 2000.
- Carolina’s 42 points in the first half are the most in a half against a Power 5 team since scoring 52 first-half points against Duke on Nov. 18, 2000.
- Mack Brown is now 256-130-1 in his 32nd season as a collegiate head coach, and 81-54-1 in 12 seasons at North Carolina
- Mack Brown is 10-2 all-time against Duke. Brown has won 10-straight games over the Blue Devils.
- Carolina had 573 total yards of offense against Duke, the fifth-straight game going over 500 yards for the first time in at least 50 years, dating back to existing records that begin in 1971. UNC has accumulated more than 400 yards of total offense in each of its last 15 games.
- Sam Howell finished the game 18 of 27 for 235 yards and three passing touchdowns. He has thrown for more than 200 yards in all seven games this season and nine-straight games going back to 2019. Howell also scored his second rushing TD of the season.
- Javonte Williams recorded his fourth 100+ rushing game of the season and the seventh of his career with 151 yards on 12 carries and scored a career-high four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving).
- Javonte Williams is the first Tar Heel player to score four touchdowns in a game since Hakeem Nicks against Boston College in 2008. Williams’ four first-half touchdowns tied Kelvin Bryant (East Carolina, 1981) for the most in program history. Bryant set the school record with six touchdowns in a game against the Pirates that day.
Duke Game Notes:
- Duke’s top rusher was Mateo Durant who finished his night with his third 100-yard rushing performance after compiling 132 yards on 11 carries. Durant’s 132 yards in the game gave him 1,096 for his career, making him the 50th Blue Devil to reach the 1,000 career rushing yards milestone.
- Redshirt junior quarterback Chase Brice finished the day 11-of-23 for 155 yards. Holmberg also saw action under center going 7-of-9 for a career-high 70 yards.
- Sophomore wide receiver Darrell Harding Jr. led the Blue Devils in receiving with a career-high 70 yards on five catches.
- Senior Marquis Waters recorded his fourth double digit tackle game when he finished the day with a team best 10. Fellow classmate Michael Carter II earned Duke’s seventh interception of the season when he picked off Tar Heel quarterback Sam Howell in the third quarter.
Duke has an open date before it returns to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on Nov. 21 for a matchup with Wake Forest. Game details are still yet to be determined. The Tar Heels return home to take on Wake Forest November, 14th at 12:00pm. The game will be televised on the ACC Network or ESPN 2.
